Critical Role Campaign 4 will see the founders joined by new cast members, in a new world, run by Brennan Lee Mulligan. In this new world of Aramán, the Gods are dead, rebellion has taken root, and magic continues to be an important aspect of the world. How exactly magic will come into play remains to be seen, especially given how magic and divinity are intertwined in Dungeons & Dragons.

Taliesin Jaffe seemed especially interested in this aspect. When building his character, he seemed to grab onto the questions about magic as a spark of inspiration. While much about his character, Bolaire Lathalla, remains a mystery, there are a few key details known. He is a curator of a museum full of dangerous magical items. Jaffe himself described Bolaire as “very social and bitchy.” Based on the character art, Bolaire also seems to be wearing some sort of mask.

The Museum “Is A Violently Dangerous Place”

In an exclusive interview with Temple of Geek, Jaffe shared further insight into the museum. He explained the dangers of a museum full of magical items, including what the job entails. Jaffe also hinted at the position being the potential cause of the mysterious mask upon Bolaire’s face.

Taliesin Jaffe: 

“What I can say is I really liked the notion when I thought about what a museum would be in a world with a bunch of magical objects. Which the moment you start thinking about it, you realize that is a violently dangerous place. Because you don’t know what anything is, and the only way to find out is to poke it.

And so, I love the notion that we’re going to, as we get into the museum a little bit, we’re gonna see these people who are not just archaeologists and not just preparators, but people who are doing that. I mean, they’re half that, half lion tamer; these are objects that they’ve got to clean the teeth of these lions. And so, everyone sometimes just steps on the wrong magical sigil; it’s the wrong thing.

Suddenly either it’s useful or it isn’t, but suddenly a thing bonds to your face, and you don’t wanna take the risk of what happens if you take it off, because that could be bad. That’s how you can walk through the world this way, is that immediately they’re like, Oh, you probably work at the [museum]. You hit a magic thing, didn’t you? Don’t do that.”

Travis Willingham: 

“Sometimes something bonds to your face!”

Taliesin Jaffe: 

“Wow, I should know. Yeah, that was a bad call.”

Based on the description, this mask seems to be an artifact of some kind that Bolaire may have accidentally triggered. The facehugger description is terrifying and could point to a deeper story behind the mask. One aspect of the museum that could be intriguing is some of these items’ potential connections to the dead Gods. In Exandria many of the relics were directly tied to the Gods either as gifts or results of cataclysmic events.

Could The Mask Play A Larger Role In Campaign 4 As A Relic?

Aramán relics could have similar origins. This seems especially likely in the face of a world-altering event like the deaths of many Gods. Jaffe hints at consequences to the mask being removed. How this will play into the larger mystery remains to be seen, but this could point to unexpected powers tied to the mask.

Mulligan forged the world of Aramán around the characters built by the 13 players in this campaign. Given Jaffe’s interest in the dangers of a museum full of magical items, it seems likely that this isn’t simply Bolaire’s occupation but an aspect of his life that will play a large role within this world. Hopefully the magical items are not only dangerous but prove to be useful for the likely heroes as well.

Campaign 4 of Critical Role premieres on YouTube, Twitch, and Beacon on October 2nd at 7pm PT.